Levaillant's Woodpecker
Picus vaillantii
A medium-sized green woodpecker with a gray face, black mustache, and pale eye; the only green woodpecker in its range. Similar to Iberian Green Woodpecker, found across the Strait of Gibraltar, but ranges do not overlap. Breeds in open dry forest and adjacent wooded parks and plantations in the mountains and foothills of the Atlas range; often in areas with oaks and conifers. Gives a loud, laughter-like “kee-hahahaha”, as well as a series of short “tik” notes. Often gives a fast, even drum.
Identification
Levaillant's woodpecker is 30–33 cm in length with a 45–51 cm wingspan. It is very similar to the European green woodpecker and the Iberian Green woodpecker (especially females). Both Levaillant's woodpecker and the Iberian Green woodpecker were formerly considered subspecies of P. viridis.<p>Levaillant's woodpecker is dark green above and yellowish green below, with a crimson nape. The black moustache has a pale border above. The rump is chrome yellow and the outer webs of the primaries are barred black and white. The bill and feet are slate grey.<p>Sexes are similar except that the male has a crimson crown, whereas the female's crown is grey. Like .P. v. sharpei, both sexes lack the black on the lores and around the eye shown by most forms of the green woodpecker.<p>The call is a loud ringing laugh, plue, plue, plue, very like the green woodpecker's yaffle, but perhaps slightly faster.
Taxonomy
Levaillant's woodpecker is sometimes considered a subspecies of the European green woodpecker. It is monotypic, meaning it has no subspecies. <p>This species was named in honour of the French explorer, collector and ornithologist, François Le Vaillant.
- Scientific name
- Picus vaillantii
- Authority
- (Malherbe, 1847)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Picus
Range and habitat
Levaillant's woodpecker is found in the three Maghreb countries Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in northwest Africa. It breeds in mountain forests up to the treeline at around 2000m.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This woodpecker's insect food is captured by a rapid outward flick of the long tongue, and gummed to its tip by sticky saliva. Though a large and heavy bird it has an easy, bounding flight. The nest is a hole in a tree, and 4-8 glossy white eggs are laid on wood chips.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Breeding adult males are striking black and white with bright red triangle on breast. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures are streaky below with a bold head pattern. Always look for the very thick, pale pinkish bill. Fairly common and widespread in eastern North America, especially in deciduous forests. Winters to northern South America. Visits feeders. Listen for sweet robinlike song and squeaky call. Females are sometimes confused with Purple Finch but note much larger overall size, large pinkish bill, and bolder white markings on wings. Also compare females and immature males with extremely similar Black-headed Grosbeak, which is usually identifiable by range. Rose-breasted usually has more extensive, coarser streaking on underparts and usually lacks orange tones.

Least Honeyguide
Indicator exilis
Small, dark olive-green honeyguide. The face and underparts are dark gray, with a pale spot above the bill and a dark line below it. Sometimes shows strong streaking on the back and lower flanks. In flight, shows white patches on the sides of the tail. Found in forest and tree plantations. The main call is a slowly repeated “chreeya.” Similar to Lesser and Thick-billed Honeyguides, but smaller, and further distinguished from Thick-billed by the facial markings. Also similar to Pallid Honeyguide, but has a larger bill, and a darker and more patterned head. Similar to Wahlberg’s and Green-backed Honeyguides, but has a thicker bill.

White-browed Crombec
Sylvietta leucophrys
Small, virtually tailless warbler of montane forest. The facial pattern is distinct, with a rufous-brown cap and eye-stripe and a contrasting white eyebrow and throat. Found in thick areas of montane humid forest, especially tangled undergrowth and vines. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. The song is a quiet series of up-and-down twitters. Chapin’s Crombec is very similar, but White-browed is easily separated by its broad white eyebrow.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.